How The Sub-Male Lead’s Stepmother Teaches Love

“Then…If my mother cancels her marriage with my father, will she be able to leave this family?”

 

“That’s true, but….In reality, there aren’t many couples who end up getting divorced. The process is extremely complicated, and especially, marriages between noble families are a union between two families, so unless it’s the worst case scenario, they just end up not seeing each other.”

 

Then, while Lucius was choosing what to say, Noah broke the silence and asked.

 

“What is the worst-case scenario?”

 

‘If the husband has an illegitimate child and makes him his successor. Also, if the wife has given birth to another man’s child.’

 

Those were the first things that came to Lucius’ mind. However, he couldn’t bring himself to say those words in front of Noah, so he was silent for a long time before finally opening his mouth.

 

“If you have a huge debt that will ruin your family’s reputation or lead to bankruptcy,…There are similar things.”

 

“Then if that doesn’t happen, then Mother won’t leave the castle.”

 

Noah relaxed his stiff shoulders as if he was relieved. Only then did Lucius realize that what Noah had been worried about was Raenel leaving the castle.

 

“Don’t worry about that—”

 

The words fogged in Lucius’s mouth. 

 

Noah’s expression hardened like ice as he noticed that.

 

“Why? Is something bothering you?”

 

“No, it’s just—”

 

“Surely you haven’t already forgotten that you promised not to lie to me.”

 

Noah’s gaze as he looked at Lucius was colder than ever. The intimidation radiating from the five-year-old’s body was nothing compared to his master’s. 

 

However, compared to his previous appearance of just remaining silent no matter what anyone said, it felt much more intense.

 

That was why Lucius finally opened his mouth after hesitating. 

 

“It’s just an assumption for now, but maybe someone’s influence is the reason rumors about the Marquise spread among the servants.” 

 

“Someone did it on purpose? But why?” 

 

“As I said earlier, Ma’am has not yet had her wedding in Ajas. Even if she had gotten married in the capital, she had not yet been introduced to Ajas’ vassals.”

 

Lucius continued his explanation step by step.

 

“Under these circumstances and with my master away from the castle to fulfill his duties as Lord of Ajas, the vassals and servants will never recognize Ma’am as they Marquise…”

 

‘No. Is it okay to say this in front of him?’

 

Lucius swallowed dry saliva and continued speaking.

 

“It would give them an excuse to kick her out of the castle.” 

 

Noah’s face turned red with shock. 

 

But for a moment, Lucius saw a flash of realization struck him like a bolt of lightning from the center of his amber eyes that were swaying like water.

 

‘Since he is a smart person, he would have realized right away that the reason why they were trying to get rid of the Marquise.’

 

“But…you said that Sir Mario is not my mother’s lover.”

 

“It doesn’t matter if it’s true or not. As long as it looks like a lover, that’s okay. Besides, if rumors spread among the servants and such circumstances are discovered, everyone will point fingers at Ma’am. If that happens, it won’t matter whether Ma’am and Sir Mario plead their innocence.”

 

“No, Sir Mario is not going to plead innocent.” 

 

“Yes?”

 

“That’s why he lied to my mother about being close to Sir Alexander.”

 

Noah glared at the floor and gritted his teeth as the question he’d been harboring was answered.

 

“How dare you….”

 

His eyes turned red and his head felt hot. Finally, unable to hold back the anger that had reached the top of his head, Noah slammed his fist on the table. With the brute strength that came from Ajas’s veins, the solid table was cleanly split in two.

 

Even Lucius, who was wide-eyed in surprise at the sight, didn’t notice.

 

It was the moment when the child who had been hiding inside a thick shell, trying to suppress his desires with a sense of guilt, finally broke out of the shell just before he was about to drown in the various emotions that had been buried deep inside.

 

* * * 

 

[I tried to stop by the castle that day.

I can already imagine what kind of dress my wife will choose. I am sure that whatever design you choose will suit you very well. I will take care of my appearance from now on so that I can stand by your side without any shortcomings.] 

‘No, you’re more concerned about that now? Do you have to make all the ladies who came as guests fall in love with you?’

 

I don’t know how they managed to maintain their physical appearance in a place filled with military facilities, but I had a feeling that Leonhard would somehow accomplish whatever he said he would do.

 

I should quickly reply that he is already handsome, so there is no need to become more handsome.

 

‘Why is it that only the bride has to wear a veil? Why not create a custom where the groom wears one too?’

 — toktok  

“Mother, may I come in for a moment?”

 

“Noah? Yes, come in.”

 

I rummage through the drawer, pull out a fresh sheet of paper, and before I know it, Noah is inside, closing the door behind him.

 

Noah was wearing his pajamas, probably because it was almost time to go to bed.

 

“You can catch a cold, you won’t even wear an outer coat.”

 

“It’s warm inside the castle.”

 

“Uh-huh, no. I’ll give you my coat, so wear it when you go to your room. Okay?”

 

As I was bringing an indoor coat from the partitioned powder room and putting it over Noah’s body, I suddenly thought of Leonhard.

 

‘Wrap a coat around me for that short time from my room to the instrument room…he doesn’t think of me as his daughter, does he?’

 

‘Hey, he kisses me like that every time he sees me, so there’s no way he would.’

 

I pushed away my awkwardness and offered Noah a seat.

 

Then, as I was about to pull the rope to offer him a cup of warm tea, Noah noticed my thoughts and said it was okay.

 

“I’ll go to bed soon, Mother.” 

 

“Is that so?”

 

‘Well, he has to go to bed early to grow taller.’

 

I sat at the table without pulling the rope.

 

Meanwhile, Noah’s gaze was fixed on the letter I had placed on the table. 

 

Noah raised his head, perhaps unconsciously, and when our eyes met, he flinched, but I waved my hand to tell him it was okay.

 

“This is a letter from your father. Would you like to read it?” 

 

“But this is written to you, mother.…”

 

“So what? We’re family.”

 

Only after saying that did I remember what Leonhard had written in the letter. He said that whatever dress I wore would suit me and that he would take care of his appearance. It would be a bit embarrassing if my son saw it.

 

‘Well, whatever. I can’t tell him not to look at it now.’

 

“It’s fine as long as you don’t know that person.” 

 

“Mother, is Father coming to the castle?”

 

“Huh? Yeah. The tailor is coming to the castle in three days to do a fitting for the suit. Choosing a design doesn’t require anyone, but the fitting requires someone to wear it. I asked him to spare some time, even if it’s just for a little while.”

 

It was a wedding dress, not a normal dress. I don’t know when I’ll ever wear it, but I’d better get it done while I still have time.

 

“Noah’s suit will also be fitted in three days. Have you ever had a suit tailored before?”

 

“No, I haven’t. I’ve never been to a formal place before.” 

 

“So this is your first time? So look forward to it. The tailor sounded very confident, so I’m sure it’ll turn out beautiful.”

 

‘Noah is still young, so I think it would be better to wear a bow tie.’

 

‘Oh, he would be cute. I can’t wait to see it!’

 

“Mother, I have a favor to ask.”

 

“Huh? A favor? To me?”

 

“Yes. Is that okay?”

 

Noah glanced at me cautiously.

 

Regardless of the child’s worried gaze, I was so touched that I almost burst into tears. 

 

‘Oh my God, Noah was asking me for favors. The same kid who gave me a piece of candy and looked at me like he wasn’t sure if he should do that!’

 

“Of course, it’s okay. Anything is okay. What do you want? I’ll listen to anything!”

 

“The day my father came to the castle… can I invite Sir Mario to dinner?”

 

“Sir Mario? Why?”

 

“I want to introduce my new teacher to my father.” 

 

“Oh, my God, Did you like sir Mario?”

 

Noah blinked at my question and then smiled. 

 

“Yes, very much.”

 

I hesitated for a moment and then nodded. 

 

‘The suspicions about Mario Folten were still just speculations, but I couldn’t break Noah’s innocence.’

 

“I see. Then let’s do it. I’ll send an invitation to Sir Mario right away tomorrow.”

 

“No, I’ll tell him myself, I have class tomorrow anyway.” 

 

“Really? Okay.”

 

After some more small talk, I escorted Noah to the door.

 

I saw Noah’s back as he returned to his room with Simon, who was waiting outside, and then I went into the room and let out a small sigh. 

 

‘Sir Mario…..Looks like you’re doing well in class.’

 

‘Who knew that Noah’s first request would be to invite him to dinner?’

 

‘I wasn’t planning on getting involved with him until Peter came back…’

 

I let out a small sigh as I recalled the letter that was clearly open to misunderstanding by anyone.

 

At least Leonhard will be joining us for dinner that night. I sincerely hoped he wouldn’t be late.

 

* * * 

 

“Checkmate.”

 

With a thud, a white chess piece carved from ivory knocked away the black knight and took its place on the board.

 

Staring at the board with only three chess pieces remaining, Noah stated clearly.

 

“I lose.”

 

“This time it was really close. I almost lost.” 

 

He wasn’t being humble, he was being serious. Noah had never played chess before, and even though it had only been a few weeks since he first taught Noah the names and rules of the pieces, he’d made frightening progress.

 

‘I almost lost my reputation as a teacher.’

 

He thought it would be better to remove chess from the class from now on. 

 

“Then let’s review this game…Oh, it’s about time.”

 

An hourglass placed upside down on the desk rang out, signaling the end of class.

 

After confirming that all the sand had fallen, Mario pressed the top of the clock to stop the music box sound and got up from his seat.

 

“That’s all for today’s lesson. Today’s homework is to analyze what caused the game to fail and what moves you should have made a few moves ago to win.”

 

“Alright.”

 

“Then see you next time.”

 

As Mario bowed and was about to leave with his books and class materials, Noah called out to him.

 

“By any chance, are you free in the evening in two days?”

 

“In two days? I don’t have any other plans.…Do you need any supplementary lessons?”

 

“No. My mother asked me to ask if it was okay for you to come to dinner.”

 

“Marquise asked me to come to dinner?”

 

A strange light flashed in Mario’s eyes.

 

Trying not to miss that moment, He nodded readily, not noticing that Noah was staring at him intently.

 * * *